The Carroll Standard

Maryland unemployment grows, while Virginia and District add jobs; O'Malley blames Bush

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Brian Hughes | The Washington Examiner:

Maryland shed the third-highest amount of jobs nationally in May, while the unemployment rate dipped in the District and held steady in Virginia, according to newly released jobs numbers.

The U.S. Department of Labor said Maryland lost 7,500 jobs in May, eclipsed only by North Carolina and Pennsylvania, marking the third straight month of job losses in the state. Its unemployment rate also ticked up to 6.8 percent.

Still, Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley said the state was in better shape than last year and took a swipe at the economic policies of President George W. Bush, whom he continues to blame for today's economic turmoil.

"This was a disappointing monthly report after what has been a solid steady year of job creation and recovery," he said, adding, "30,800 more Marylanders are working than were at this time last year. This is the best May-to-May for job creation since before the Bush recession."

However, the May jobs losses are troubling because employers typically hire more workers in the warmer months.

"This was a disappointing monthly report after what has been a solid steady year of job creation and recovery," he said, adding, "30,800 more Marylanders are working than were at this time last year. This is the best May-to-May for job creation since before the Bush recession."

However, the May jobs losses are troubling because employers typically hire more workers in the warmer months.

The labor statistics show that 4,600 construction jobs, 3,100 professional and business services jobs, 800 financial jobs and 300 manufacturing jobs were lost from April -- offsetting slight gains in the education and transportation fields. ...continues...